“The school remains a great function for the state and has made a really big difference in those children’s lives,” Bozza said. “But this is long overdue. It doesn’t mean the program should have to leave, but maybe some other uses could be considered.”

Bozza added that whenever other options are discussed, there was often pushback from the families of current and former students.

“But even back then, they were coming around in seeing that it is compatible with ultimately saving the school,” Bozza said.